deteriorating

American

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-ting] / dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

becoming worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc..

A deteriorating house, whatever the cause, will have an adverse effect on your real estate investment.
Officials have warned of a deteriorating security situation in the disputed territory.
disintegrating or wearing away.

If what you have underneath is fabric or fiberglass, I’d be concerned that deteriorating paint is letting ultraviolet rays do their worst to your aircraft.

Other Word Forms

undeteriorating

adjective

Etymology

Origin of deteriorating

First recorded in 1680–90; deteriorate ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deteriorating living standards and rampant inflation led to nationwide protests that shook the Islamic Republic in January.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Deteriorating living conditions have pushed many people to take to the streets in recent months.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

Deteriorating conditions on Everest are raising concerns for mountaineers and others whose livelihoods depend on the flow of visitors coming to climb the mountain each year.

From Washington Times • May 29, 2023

Deteriorating relations have made Chinese fishermen more afraid of approaching the line.

From Reuters • Apr. 9, 2023

Deteriorating as my passion was in its effect on the exercise of my mental powers, and on my candour and sense of duty in my intercourse with home, it was a pure feeling towards her.

From Basil by Collins, Wilkie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023